[CthulhuDreams]

The main reason to use Llama server is reduced administration overhead

A) The host doesn't have to do any work unless a player drops out

Turn generation and mailings is done by the server. This is great if quick host is enabled and you have players in multiple different timezones, because it doesn't matter if I send the last 2h file in at 3am US time it will be generated and mailed out instantly, not when the host gets back from work.


B) Players can see that their turn has been sent to them by llamaserver, or that llama server hasn't got the turn they sent yet.

This helps a lot with modern email spam filters - as dominions PBEM games are mass mailings with attachments, they look and smell like spammers, and as a result they often get sucked into more aggressive spam filters.

C) If email doesn't work, llamaserver still does because you can direct download

My other PBEM game (which is direct mail) at the moment is on haitus because the hosts email service won't let him send emails. If it's hosted by llama server, you're in business.

IMHO these benefits are worth MUCH more than any cheating protection - the spam filter thing alone is a major issue with direct email games. I've been dinged for not sending a file before, when I had and the host's spam filter ate it which enraged me.